New (to me) GEM and blades... huh, neat.

I just purchased a Gem 1912 myself and thought the exact same about the stainless blade, quite tuggy and not smooth. I'll swap it out for a PTFE blade and see how it goes!

not sure on the SS blades as I've always used the PTFE blades, but I believe ShadowsDad mentioned that they take a few shaves to smooth out. some guys hand strop them before using them.

It's cool to see someone newly discover these older, and IMO better, shaving instruments. Enjoy your journey and please keep us in the loop so that we can live vicariously through you. We've all been there.

Bear in mind that when you acquire SE razors that they begin in aggressiveness somewhere mid aggressive as compared to DE. You have one of those with the G-Bar. I know of only one SE razor that is milder. That would be the GEM Jr. Bar lather catcher. From the G-bar they just increase in aggression. Should you get one that doesn't agree with you, just hold onto it for a time. You may decide later that you actually like it. They don't cost much and you can always sell it later. You won't have much invested and just to have it "sitting there" doesn't tie up much money.

Earlier I mentioned aging a new GEM SS ptfe. I was not 100% accurate. The OCMM SEvette that I'm using loves fresh blades! Its the only aggressive SE razor that I have that gets along with my face using a fresh blade. One other gent from the UK agrees with that, and basically we discovered that independently but at much the same time. As far as aggressive razors go, the SEvette is off the scale since the comb is removed. The razor just holds the blade and all of what makes the OCMM a safety razor is removed. How odd that aging a blade would benefit an aggressive SE safety razor, but when the comb is removed the fresh blade is at it's best. I still haven't figured that one out. It makes absolutely no sense to me.

I shall keep you updated as much as I can!

Aye, that's is what I have been getting the feeling of from around here, that SE razors are on the higher end of aggressiveness.  Though I'll be honest I had no idea what kind this GEM was, all I saw that it was in good condition and that it was cheap and that was enough for me to start :  Otherwise, I'll take your advice

Took me a few reads to figure out what you were talking about, but now I get it

I just purchased a Gem 1912 myself and thought the exact same about the stainless blade, quite tuggy and not smooth. I'll swap it out for a PTFE blade and see how it goes!

Yup, do yourself that favour like I did!

I just purchased a Gem 1912 myself and thought the exact same about the stainless blade, quite tuggy and not smooth. I'll swap it out for a PTFE blade and see how it goes!

not sure on the SS blades as I've always used the PTFE blades, but I believe ShadowsDad mentioned that they take a few shaves to smooth out.  some guys hand strop them before using them.

Really?  Interesting, I'll have to keep that in mind.  Thanks

PTFE blades ?? I should know this

It's the blade that makes all the difference, the SS and Carbon Gem from Personna are horrible, but the SS PTFE is a whole new animal, the only blade that performs somewhat close to it is the blue star and Treet, but no doubt the PTFE takes the cake.

What does PTFE mean??

What does PTFE mean??

Its means its coated for smoothness and comfort, but the only reason why is it so because the blade is ridiculous sharp. I haven't tried Feather SE blades and also have Personna PTFE Injector blades to try out with the Supply Provision V2, but IMHO the GEM PTFE by Personna are at least 30% sharper than the Silver Blue, Feather and Astra. Crossing fingers that the PTFE Injector blades are similar in performance to the GEM PTFE considering I bought 300 of them lol, time will tell.

What does PTFE mean??

Short answer: Teflon.

Longer answer, per Wikipedia:
“Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The best known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is Teflon by Chemours. Chemours is a spin-off of DuPont Co., which discovered the compound in 1938.”

Thanks for clearing that up